Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
UPDATE:
A graveside service for James will be held on Saturday July 30, 2022, at 10:00 am in the Lake View Cemetery in Calumet, MI.
There will be a luncheon following the graveside service at the Siskiwit Reception Hall in Calumet, MI.
As received from the Erickson Crowley Peterson Funeral Home:
James Robert Kuusisto passed away on December 15, 2021 at his home in Camarillo, CA with his daughter, Cheryl, by his side. He was born in Laurium, MI to Eli and Thelma (Niemi) on December 27, 1930. He was a graduate of Jeffers High School Class of 1948.
After moving to Swedetown with his family, Jim worked for many years in the Public Chevrolet in Calumet in the auto parts department. He enjoyed playing hockey as a goalie for the Calumet Radars.
Upon marrying his wife Helen Niemela on June 15, 1957, the couple moved to California, residing first in Reseda, then in Camarillo. They returned to the Copper Country frequently, enjoying their summer home in Bootjack. Jim was passionate about fishing, spending time with family and friends on Portage Lake and Lake Superior, thankful that Bruce Simula and Jerry Dion were able to take him out these past number of years.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 2015; an infant son Robert; his son-in-law John Arthur; his parents-in-law Einard and Flora Niemela; his brother “Buddy”; his sister Evelyn; sisters and brothers-in-law Louise and Paul Raasakka, Florence and Clifford Anderson. Jim is survived by his daughters Cheryl Arthur of CA and Diane (Alan) Rodgers of TN; grandchildren Melissa (John) Lowry of TN, Adam (Jaime) Arthur of TX, Kristi (Edward) Leon of TX, Russell Arthur of CA, Kevin Rodgers of TN, Jimmy Rodgers of FL, Brian Rodgers of FL; great-grandchildren Dylan and Kaitlyn Arthur; Weston, Brooklyn and Deacon Lowry; Olivia, Jack and Annie Leon; sisters Ruth (Karl) Parks of Ahmeek and Mary Jane (Peter) Haapala of Menagha, MN; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim was a member of the Firstt Apostolic Lutheran Church of Calumet. Cremation has taken place in CA. A summer memorial service will take place at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet with Erickson, Crowley and Peterson Funeral Home handling arrangements.
